ADHD: FREE 5-Part Parent Education Series (Saturdays, 2:00 - 4:00 PM)

ADHD and Executive Functions (4th - 12th grade)

Saturday, February 23th

Children with ADHD often have difficulty starting assignments, following directions, organizing projects, writing reports, remembering supplies and turning in homework. This class will offer strategies to help your child become more organized and to understand his learning style. You will leave with specific ideas to help your child to maximize her success at school.

Rewards and consequences can be used to reinforce the behaviors that you expect, while decreasing problematic behaviors. Behavior plans are used to teach and maintain many kinds of behaviors, such as doing homework and getting along with siblings. Learn how to set up an effective behavior plan.

Advocating for Your ADHD Child at School (all ages)

Saturday, March 9th

Learn how ADHD impacts children in the classroom and what services and accommodations will enable your child to succeed. Understand your legal rights and how to proceed effectively through the complicated process of assessments and meetings.

One of the hallmarks of ADHD is having difficulty with executive functioning. This class will focus on specific difficulties that children experience in the classroom, and provide suggestions for effective interventions. Learn about specific accommodations and goals for specialized instruction obtained through IEPs. Class content will apply to any child with executive functioning weaknesses, not only those diagnosed with ADHD.

Individual Education Plans (IEP) for Students with ADHD: (all ages)

Saturday, March 23rd

Bring your child's IEP (with family and child's names, addresses blacked out) and Dr. Dafoe will choose several samples and go through them with the group, providing feedback about how to increase their effectiveness.

Presenter: Janet Dafoe, Ph.D.
Dr. Dafoe is a licensed psychologist whose areas of specialty include ADHD, Asperger's Disorder, school issues and special education law. She provides educational evaluations and therapy, facilitates therapeutic groups for children, leads a support group for parents of children with ADHD, and serves as an advocate for parents going through the special education and 504 processes.

Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Children and Adolescents (ages 10 and above)

Thursday, March 21, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced-based method of psychotherapy designed to help individuals identify and manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Children and adolescents are taught to notice physical sensations in their bodies associated with their emotions, label their feelings and rate their intensity, as well as identify what situations in their lives "trigger" particular emotions. Relaxation skills and other coping strategies are taught and practiced. Kids learn techniques to challenge unproductive negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts and actions that will lead to more positive feelings and actions.

Presenter: Mark Westerfield, Psy.D

"Do it Yourself" Reading Games That are Easy to Make and Fun to Play!
A "Make It and Take It" Workshop

(for parents/teachers of Pre-K through 2nd graders)

Saturday, March 30, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Support young readers with games that you have made! This will be a "hands on" workshop for adults. As summer approaches, thoughts turn to maintaining and enhancing the reading skills of our young children. Practicing skills and learning through games is fun and motivating. Join us on a Saturday afternoon to make your own reading games that will reinforce skills in a playful way. All supplies and instructions will be provided. You will leave with the games that you created, ready to be played with your child.

Instructor: Erin Powers, M.Ed, BCET
Erin has been a practicing Educational Therapist for over twenty-five years. She has directed the learning services at the Carey (elementary) School, Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco, and at Kehillah Jewish High School. Erin provides educational therapy and evaluations at Morrissey-Compton, and maintains a thriving private practice. She holds a Master's Degree in Special Education and two California Teaching Credentials (Multiple-Subject and Special Education). Erin is also certified as a Resource Specialist and is a Board Certified Educational Therapist.